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That Memphis Beat

I’m going to Memphis where the beat is tough. Memphis I can’t get enough. It makes you tremble. It makes you weak. Gets in your blood, that Memphis beat.” Jerry Lee Lewis.

Memphis, TN– I’ve never been a foodie or a food blogger. While there are millions of idiots with instagram accounts who think they’re the next Jonathan Gold or Anthony Bourdain, I’m not one of them, however when I travel, I do enjoy a good meal at a local restaurant and if you’re in Memphis you have to try the barbecue.

“I’m not a fan of North Carolina barbecue. I like Memphis style barbecue and Kansas City.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. Race car driver.

Dry rub ribs, brisket and beer!

There are many places in Memphis where you can get great barbecue. I chose to go to Rendezvous. This restaurant has been serving great barbecue since 1948 and if you come here be sure to try the dry rub ribs.

Rendezvous

Southern cooking in general is delicious and the portions are large. If I had to eat it everyday, I’m sure I would gain a hundred pounds–especially the spicy fried chicken from Gus’s. http://gusfriedchicken.com/downtown-memphis-tennessee-location/

Fried chicken, coleslaw, baked beans and of course beer!

I love old soda fountains. On Beale Street you will find A. Schwab, a novelty store and soda fountain that has been around since 1876. I did not order the Elvis special for lunch, a peanut butter and banana sandwich. I had a BLT instead. https://a-schwab.com/

It has an old fashioned soda fountain
A. Schwab on Beale Street

“Many cities make music, but no city breathes music quite like Memphis. The songs and sounds that come from here are uniquely American.” Shawn Amos, songwriter & blues singer.

Legendary Beale Street

Elvis is the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about music and Memphis and while Mr. Presley deserves much credit for rock & roll and the Memphis sound, many of America’s greatest musicians came out of this area. Called the home of the blues and the birth place of rock and roll Memphis musicians include: Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, BB King, Al Green, Issac Hayes, Otis Redding, Ike Turner, Johnny Cash and many more. You can listen to live music at the clubs on Beale Street and check out their histories at these places:

Sun Studio

Sun Studio: https://www.sunstudio.com/

Presley’s photo outside of Sun Studio

Stax Museum of American Soul Music: https://staxmuseum.com/

Some of Al Green’s 70’s wardrobe

Blues Hall of Fame: http://blues.org/hall-of-fame-museum/

WC Handy father of the blues statue Handy Park

Memphis Rock ‘n Soul Museum: https://www.memphisrocknsoul.org/

This cat Isaac Hayes was a bad motha’ . . .

Memphis Music Hall of Fame: https://memphismusichalloffame.com/

Bass Pro Shop Pyramid

Memphis got it’s name from an ancient Egyptian city. Like that had the Nile River, Memphis has the Mississippi River and even has its own pyramid. Originally called, The Great American Pyramid it was home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. When the Grizzlies moved to the new Fed Ex Forum, Bass Pro Shops moved into the pyramid which has now become one of the largest outdoor and camping stores in the world. The pyramid includes a hotel, restaurants, alligator pond and aquarium. A fun place to visit and browse. https://stores.basspro.com/us/tn/memphis/1-bass-pro-dr.html

“Growing up in Memphis, I’ve always admired St. Jude’s for the magnificent work they do.” Ginnifer Goodwin, actress and Memphis native.

Look around Memphis and there is history everywhere. Dig a little deeper and you’ll be surprised at what you discover. Most people today probably do not remember the late entertainer Danny Thomas. In the early 1960’s, Thomas read a story about a young African American boy who had been injured in an accident and died after being refused treatment at Memphis’s segregated hospitals. Thomas was inspired by the story to build St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis. In addition, Thomas hired African American architect Paul Williams to design the hospital. When some local white segregationists expressed their opposition to the idea of an integrated hospital and Williams designing it, Thomas threatened to build the hospital in another city. The segregationists reluctantly gave in. Today St. Judes continues to expand and leads the world in research and treatment of childhood diseases. No family is ever turned away for their inability to pay and in Memphis there is a street, Danny Thomas Boulevard named in the late entertainer’s honor.

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